One of the many comments I get whenever I do a “Green Clean” show is that people are very happy using Vinegar and Salt or Lemon. Yes, these things are almost natural to a certain extent, as they do not pollute the environment. Provided that they are in their natural form.

But is Vinegar safe? Perhaps it might be safe for us, but we have to remember one thing about Vinegar: It is an acid. When combined with baking soda (a base), it makes for a great cleaner on pots that have caked-on burned nastiness. The only problem with Vinegar is that it is not necessarily a good thing for all plant life. Also, Baking Soda mixed with Vinegar will produce a gas (which can be harmless to a certain degree.)

Almost every living thing has a certain acid-base balance. We can refer to this as pH levels. If you take something that is of a higher pH level, it most likely will break up some proteins and more. The only problem is that it makes its way back to the earth as an acid.

Another thing to consider is that when you put vinegar on your skin, you’re already introduce a change in your skin’s acid chemistry. Should this get into your bloodstream, it can do some wonders for purifying, but it can also work against you in the digestive tract. People experience things like heartburn or other uncomfortable scenarios with a different acid mix.

So vinegar, although it is great as a household cleaner, still can be an inconvenience for health reasons. For one thing, Vinegar has an ugly smell and it’s advisable that you don’t take a huge whiff of it!

Secondly, the pH balance. Our skin and blood is not the same pH balance as of vinegar. In the long run, Vinegar may end up becoming a carcinogen if mixed with the wrong chemical elements.

There is an alternative, which is called Basic H2 in a series of cleaning products called GET CLEAN. The beautiful thing about this is that it is pH balanced for the human body and unlike Vinegar, is Organic, has living vegetable enzymes to do the hard work and is Non-Toxic. And unlike Vinegar, it biodegrades quickly and will not harm a water’s ecosystem. In fact, it helps it by becoming plant food.

Vinegar, on the other hand, is an acid and will mix with other things that may not be good for the body and for plant life.

Vinegar and Salt can have their place for sure, but please do keep this in mind: It is still in its natural state an acid.

Many people who remodel their homes frequently choose granite as the material of choice when they decide to put kitchen counters or other types of ledges or tabletops in. Having granite put in can be a source of added beauty to your home also, giving it the look that it needs in order to make it more valuable and appreciated. However, when it comes to cleaning granite counter tops, it takes a person who really cares about the look of their home in order to take care of granite in a counter top form. Most of the things that one can do when cleaning granite counter tops are common sense, but there are some specific ways to make it look beautiful that people rarely get to accomplish.

The first and foremost thing that you should do before your construction leader leaves is to ask him or her what the best way is to go about cleaning granite counter tops. If you are having a granite professional install your counter tops then it may go without saying that he or she will tell you how to clean them. However, it would be a good idea to discuss it with the person who installs your granite counter tops anyway. One idea that they may give you is to use a piece of fine steel wool for cleaning your granite counter tops. Even if the counter tops are not that dirty or messy the steel wool can do the preventive maintenance that it needs.

However, another tip that one should know about when cleaning granite counter tops is to use a finishing polish and sealant on the granite counter top. The sealant will ensure long life of the granite counter top by coating the top and making sure the granite is strong as ever. On the other hand, the finishing polish that you can find in any store will make the granite counter top look beautiful and clean. The sealant should be used at least once per year and the polish should be used once a week in order to keep the granite counter top looking nice.

There are plenty of other ways that you should go about cleaning your granite counter tops. However, using sealant, finishing polish, as well as fine steel wool are the three major tools one can use in order to make sure their granite counter top has a long-lasting life.

People experience pleasure having their own fireplaces in their own homes. It is considered a central appliance in a room due to the warmth and comfort it provides. But to keep it working that way, people need to do a bit of effort to keep their fireplaces working well and they should also make sure to remember fireplace cleaning and maintenance tips.

The fireplace needs regular care and clean-up to ensure a secure and cost-effective fire. Creosote, a combustible tar-like matter that builds up in the chimney and flue, should be cleaned out by a professional to do away with at least one possible fire hazard. The fireplace and its accessories must be given routine cleaning all through the wood-burning season to eradicate a buildup of ashes, soot, and creosote tars.

To maintain the efficiency of fireplaces, cleaning and maintenance should be kept regular. During yearly inspections, the chimney should be examined for damage, buildup and proximity to combustibles. The place around the chimney and the fireplace must be kept tidy and free from debris. The flue should be checked for obstructions like birds’ nests, and overhanging branches must also be cut. The fireplace, in general, must be cleaned when necessary. It must be inspected to make sure that there is sufficient protective linings and smoke ducts and that the chimney should be in good condition. The fireplace must likewise be kept clean so it would appear more pleasant to use and also to make it a better attribute for guests and visitors.

Some tips for fireplace cleaning and maintenance include the following:

· To keep the brass shiny, a toothbrush and Worcestershire sauce should be used. The brass knobs and the door or metal parts around the fireplace can be cleaned by scrubbing since this would keep the area tidy and gleaming.

· Doors should be open for venting. Avoid fire that burns longer than five hours.

· To avoid hot embers from jumping onto the carpet, the screen should be kept close. Place a non-flammable rug directly on the fireplace. This is to avoid sparks from igniting the carpet or wooden floor.

· Do not leave the fire unattended, especially when there are small children.

· Use a chimney cap to avoid animal nesting, water damage or debris. This is also to avoid obstructing the chimney.

· Clean out the firebox once a week. To help coals heat faster and to retain their heat longer, an inch of ash must be kept in the bottom to work as an insulator. Before the ash is taken out from the firebox, open the damper to avoid ashes spreading out. Do not use a vacuum cleaner in cleaning out the ash.

· Use a brick cleaner when cleaning a brick fireplace. Use lemon oil every month or two to clean exterior slate hearths.

· Clean gas logs once a month using a soft bristle brush. Avoid cleaning them right after a fire. periodically remove the excess ashes and unburned logs from the fire.

These are just some of the ways to ensure that the fireplace performs at its best. In addition, it’s always an advantage to follow the fireplace cleaning and maintenance pointers religiously.